Dr. Sylvie Briand is Director of the Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention department (EPP) at the World Health Organization’s (WHO) headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. EPP develops global strategies to prevent and control epidemic-prone diseases under the International Health Regulations for 194 countries. The scope of EPP includes COVID-19 but also other dangerous pathogens such as pandemic influenza, plague, Nipah virus, smallpox, and other poxviruses and arboviruses (Zika, yellow fever, and Chikungunya) as well as any other emerging high threat pathogens or Disease X. Dr. Briand has been at the forefront of managing acute infectious risks to global health for more than 20 years, ensuring the development of global mechanisms and sustainable frameworks to facilitate multi-lateral, multi-sectoral and multi-partners coordination as well as the adoption of innovative technologies for epidemic and pandemic response. Dr. Briand is a physician by training specialized in infectious diseases, public health, epidemiology, and social sciences.